MANILA, Philippines – With veteran guard Roger Pogoy questionable for Game 3 owing to a chronic hamstring ailment, TNT Tropang Giga may have to resume their Philippine Cup semifinal campaign without a crucial player. With the series advancing to a perhaps decisive Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the development casts doubt on TNT’s depth and rotation as they seek to conclude their best-of-seven series against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Pogoy initially hurt himself in the quarterfinals match against Magnolia, but he continued to play well despite the pain, which ultimately led to TNT’s victory. His determination was on full display in TNT’s 98-91 semifinal victory over Rain or Shine, when he scored 28 points. But the pain became worse in Game 2, and he had to leave the game early despite scoring 11 points in the first quarter. He was out for the game after hurting himself trying to lay up on a fastbreak.

The team’s medical staff has determined that Pogoy is doing fine, but they are still hesitant to send him back too soon for fear of making his condition worse. The coaching staff is proceeding with caution, even though the ailment is classified as quite light. The intense physical demands of the current series necessitated a focus on rest and recuperation. The coaching staff at TNT will likely make a last-minute call regarding Pogoy’s participation in Game 3 depending on his pain tolerance and mobility, though early signs indicate he will not play.

Game 2 was a real downer for TNT once Pogoy left since they lost their early rhythm. But they got back on track, and they rallied to win 113-105 in overtime, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead. They had fallen down by 23 points in the first game. A career-defining 39 points and 9 rebounds by Calvin Oftana, who scored crucial baskets in regulation and overtime, were key components of that comeback. Not only did Oftana’s performance showcase her growing star power, but it also demonstrated TNT’s ability to prevail without a crucial scorer.

The onus is now on the surviving core and supporting cast of TNT to keep the momentum going. The offensive heaviness will likely fall on players like Oftana, Kelly Williams, Kim Aurin, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Without Pogoy, TNT’s offensive rhythm will most likely be managed by guard Jordan Heading, who is already an integral part of the team’s backcourt rotation. Keeping the team’s high-level execution on both sides of the floor will require veteran presence and tactical versatility from head coach Chot Reyes.

At the same time, Rain or Shine is stepping up their game as they head into Game 3. The Elasto Painters showed signs of resiliency in Game 2, despite falling behind in the series. They showed promise for a series turnaround when, despite TNT’s expertise, they were able to establish a sizable lead and force OT. Coach Yeng Guiao will likely alter the pace and rotation of the team to take advantage of Pogoy’s absence, particularly on the perimeter where he has been instrumental in defense and creating shots. To slow down Oftana and disrupt TNT’s flow, players like Gabe Norwood, Andrei Caracut, and Rey Nambatac are expected to play significant roles.

The third game of the series might be a pivotal one. With a 3-0 start, TNT would have an unprecedented advantage in league history and would be hard to overcome if they were to win. The other side of the coin is that the remaining games could take on new significance if Rain or Shine were to win. Keeping Pogoy healthy could end up being just as crucial for TNT as any strategic move they make. Making sure he doesn’t make the injury worse could affect the team’s preparation for the Finals and the result of the semifinals.

The Tropang Giga will have to rethink their offensive dynamics from a strategic perspective. Among the franchise’s leading scorers in recent seasons, Pogoy has been nothing short of spectacular. It will be difficult to find a suitable replacement for his shooting touch, floor spacing, and perimeter defense. That being the case, the coaching staff at TNT may adopt a more team-oriented offensive strategy, with an emphasis on quick rotations, off-ball screens, and ball movement, to keep scoring efficiently.